Dividends are in many cases the lifeblood for investors looking to profit not only from an appreciation in a given stock, but also to earn quarterly income to boost portfolio yield and generate cash.

Among the companies that moved to strengthen that lifeblood this week are an oil and gas infrastructure company, an agriculture seed and chemicals giant and big maker of small engines. Here’s a list of the companies that raised dividends during this past week (dividends are quarterly unless otherwise noted).

Dover(NYSE:DOV): Specialized products and consumables maker Dover raised its dividend 11% to 35 cents per share from 31.5 cents per share. The new dividend will be paid on Sept. 15 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 31. Dover has paid dividends since 1947 to shareholders. Yield: 2.45%

Sunoco Logistics Partners (NYSE:SXL): Crude oil and refined products logistics operator Sunoco Logistics increased its dividend 10% from 42.75 cents per share to 47 cents per share to be paid on Aug. 14 to unit holders of record on Aug. 8. SXL has provided dividends to investors since 2002. Yield: 4.49%

Tredegar (NYSE:TG): Plastics and aluminum extrusion manufacturer Tredegar increased its dividend from 5 cents per share to 6 cents per share, a 33% increase. The dividend is payable on Oct. 1 to shareholders of record on Sept. 14. TG has paid out dividends since 1989. Yield: 1.74%

Preferred Apartment Communities (NYSE:APTS): Mulitfamily apartment acquirer Preferred Apartment raised its quarterly dividend to 14 cents per share from 13 cents, a 7.7% increase. The dividend is payable on Oct. 15 to all common stockholders of record as of Sept. 28. APTS began paying a dividend in 2011. Yield: 6.93%

Monsanto (NYSE:MON): Agricultural product giant Monsanto announced a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 37.5 cents per share, up from 30 cents per share and representing an increase of 25%. The dividend is payable on Oct. 26 to shareholders of record on Oct. 5. MON has paid a regular dividend since 2001. Yield: 1.70%

BCE (NYSE:BCE): A communications company that includes subsidiary Bell Canada, BCE increased its annual dividend to $2.27 per share, representing a 4.6% increase over the current $2.17 annual payout. That marks BCE’s eighth increase to the annual common share dividend and a 55% overall hike since the fourth quarter of 2008. The new dividend is payable on Oct. 15 to shareholders of record on Sept. 14. Yield: 5.05%

Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG): Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt raised its dividend 3.6%, from 28 cents per share to 29 cents. The Ohio-based company has raised its quarterly dividend at a 13% compound average growth rate. The dividend will be paid on Oct. 15 to shareholders of record on Sept. 14. Yield: 5.02%

Briggs & Stratton (NYSE:BGG): Gas engine and power equipment maker Briggs & Stratton increased its dividend by 9%, from 11 cents per share to 12 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Oct. 1 to shareholders of record on Aug. 20. Yield: 2.89%

Marc Bastow is an Assistant Editor at InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.